Rebecca Adlington strikes gold at The Royal Mint

Rebecca Adlington strikes gold at The Royal Mint

30 Apr 2014

Great Britain's most successful Olympic swimmer for a century Rebecca Adlington OBE has ‘struck gold’ at The Royal Mint to mark the final countdown to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The highly decorated and record breaking sportswoman was invited to strike a gold Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 50p in her capacity as an official ambassador for the Games, which start in less than 85 days. Rebecca Adlington, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, won two bronze medals in the London 2012 Olympics following on from her double medal win at the Beijing Olympics.

During her visit Rebecca had the opportunity to see where her London 2012 medals were struck and meet members of The Royal Mint’s team of experts who designed, hand crafted and finished the awards. This year’s 20th Commonwealth Games will see thousands of athletes competing in 17 sports from hockey to lawn bowls across 11 days in the city of Glasgow. The Royal Mint has commemorated this iconic sporting event by releasing a special edition Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games 50p piece.

Designers Alex Loudon and Dan Flashman took two of the most iconic sports – athletics and cycling – and added the Saltire of Scotland and lettering inspired by Charles Rennie Mackintosh to create a dynamic design for the coin. As an official Commonwealth Games ambassador Rebecca works with games organisers Glasgow 2014 and appears in high-profile promotional campaigns.

Rebecca Adlington said, “As an ambassador for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, I'm absolutely thrilled to have been invited to strike the gold 50p coin celebrating the event. It was particularly special for me to visit The Royal Mint because I got to see the very building where my London 2012 medals were struck.”

“I am very excited about this year’s Commonwealth Games because it’s great to have such a large scale sporting event at home again. It gives the crowd an opportunity to show their support for the British competitors, particularly the younger athletes, and it should be a great atmosphere. I am particularly looking forward to commentating on the swimming and being able to attend the opening ceremony for the first time, because I’ve always been competing before, and it promises to be a fantastic start to the Games.”

Shane Bissett, The Royal Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin and Bullion, added, “For over 1,000 years, The Royal Mint has been producing British coins that have recorded the passing of history, documenting changes in monarchs, customs and national themes. We are thrilled to be able to show our support for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and have the opportunity to commemorate this historical event.

“People can expect to see the new 50p coins in circulation from July when the Games begin, but we wanted to give Rebecca a sneak preview and have the opportunity to strike a gold coin bearing the new design. It was also our pleasure to show Rebecca where her own London 2012 Olympic medals were made and for our staff to find out more about her impressive achievements and her role as a Games ambassador.”

Lord Smith, chairman of Glasgow 2014, said: "In less than three months’ time the largest multi-sport event Scotland has ever hosted will be under way. We are delighted that The Royal Mint have chosen to mark the occasion with a special coin.

“Glasgow 2014 ambassadors are chosen for their passion and commitment to helping us deliver an outstanding Commonwealth Games. Rebecca is Great Britain's greatest ever swimmer and we very much value her contribution and support as we celebrate another special moment in our journey.”

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games commemorative 50p pieces are available from The Royal Mint’s website www.royalmint.com.